Browns fan here passing through. We've always had much respect for the Skins fan base---a knowledgeable bunch who mutually understands what decades of inept football feels like. I'm glad the tide appears to be turning for both teams.

Curious what RG3's "questionable" status is looking like for Sunday? Some beat reporters in Cleveland are assuming KC will start and Griff may come in for certain packages. Also if you guys have any questions on the Browns side I'd be glad to clarify.

looking forward to a good game - IF RG3 is able to go and word is that he's 'ready and cleared, I really think he starts the game

I heard today that Trent is having an illness issue - anything more on that?

looking forward to seeing another exciting game with our team pulling out a victory

we are VERY fortunate to be in the position we're in - I was thinking we needed another year and here we are we could actually be tied with the stupid giants tomorrow night ...

all the best and I'm hoping we see another good football game

HAIL

P A T I E N C E - Scot & Jay's goal here is to make this franchise better - it will take time they understand the need to change to primarily building through the draft - plus have some luck go their way

DawgTracker wrote:Browns fan here passing through. We've always had much respect for the Skins fan base---a knowledgeable bunch who mutually understands what decades of inept football feels like. I'm glad the tide appears to be turning for both teams.

Yo.

DawgTracker wrote:Curious what RG3's "questionable" status is looking like for Sunday? Some beat reporters in Cleveland are assuming KC will start and Griff may come in for certain packages.

We are all speculating. Seems Captain Kirk is getting all the 1st-team snaps.

DawgTracker wrote:Also if you guys have any questions on the Browns side I'd be glad to clarify.

What do you guys see as your weakness? Your strength. Tell me about your center - Mack.

DawgTracker wrote:Browns fan here passing through. We've always had much respect for the Skins fan base---a knowledgeable bunch who mutually understands what decades of inept football feels like. I'm glad the tide appears to be turning for both teams.

Curious what RG3's "questionable" status is looking like for Sunday? Some beat reporters in Cleveland are assuming KC will start and Griff may come in for certain packages. Also if you guys have any questions on the Browns side I'd be glad to clarify.

Here's to an injury free Sunday. Cheers

Welcome to the site DT. I echo your sentiments and hope tomorrow is a good, injury free game.

“If you grow up in metro Washington, you grow up a diehard Redskins fan. But if you hate your parents, you grow up a Cowboys fan.”-Jim Lachey

Browns as a whole are a very, very young team. Rookies have started 79 snaps so far this season and I believe the next highest number is Tampa Bay (around 44).

Weaknesses:
LB corps to single out one whole unit. Chris Gocong was on the rise here and losing him in TC to an achilles was a blow. D'Qwell Jackson is an animal but thats about it. Kaluka Maiava has been filling in at OLB for an aging/slow Scott Fujita. He's been a touch above average, if not underwhelming.

RDE's Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker have provided good rotation for plugging up the run, but they aren't getting enough push on the tackles to demand the extra attention we need to unleash prime LDE, Jabaal Sheard.

Secondary. Outside Joe Haden eliminating half the field, and Sheldon Brown randomly playing like he was back in an Eagles uni, our rotational players Buster Skrine and Eric Hagg have been problematic. I expect Haden to shadow Garcon on most snaps, and Brown to work on Morgan and/or Hankerson.

Punting. Reggie Hodges and his 30 yards/punt make my insides sad.

Strengths:
Offensive line. We all know about Thomas and Mack, but RT Mitchell Schwartz was one of our rookies taken from the Atlanta trade---and he's played exceptional. On multiple occasions, Weeden will get upwards of 4 seconds to stay in the pocket, let the route tree develop, and comfortably deliver his ball. Veteran John Greco has been filling in for LG Jason Pinkston, who damn near died earlier this year from an emergency blood clot. He's filled in admirably the past three weeks.

Defensive line. With Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin finally back, healthy, and playing in tandem, they are getting continuous pocket pressure with a four man front. Rookie 6th round pick Billy Winn is looking more like an early 2nd rounder. Very pleased with their development.

WR. I'm drinking a little orange kool-aid here, but if Josh Gordon had a minicamp (supplemental picks don't have that luxury) to develop, he may have eclipsed 1,000 yards a few weeks ago. For what it's worth, teammates are comparing his size/speed/hands in practice to Andre Johnson. Because of Gordon's emergence into a #1, second year Greg Little has taken full advantage of the secondary's lost attention.

RB. Trent Richardson is as advertised folks. Before re-hashing his ypc, something needs to be cleared up: dude's hurt. And my guess he's been sleeping in a chair every week this season. Week 2 vs. the Bengals, he not only cracked a rib, but suffered a contusion of the rib cartilage. Ribs need two months of doing not-a-damn-thing to heal. Ask Michael Vick. Not trying to be an excuse monger, but there is some cause and effect here. Regardless, T33 has over 1,200 yards in total offense and 10 TD's to his credit. He's doing this with a horrible fullback---Owen Marecic is about as good as any other white guy named Owen---and the immobile Brandon Weeden. Next season Browns nation is expecting very big things from him.

Health. Knock on wood, we might be the healthiest team in the NFL right now.

Finally you asked about Alex Mack. He's started every snap since being drafted and has earned yearly Pro Bowl consideration for a reason. One of my favorite guys on the team since he exemplifies what it meant to be the Brown during the Jim dynasty: a tough SOB. He played a full game last year with appendicitis and hours afterwards, his appendix burst. Mack was in smacking heads the very next week after surgery.

DawgTracker wrote:What are some things an opposing fan should know about the Skins strengths/weaknesses this year? Aside from that one dude under center, of course...

1) Don't let our defense fool you. They give up yards and give up big plays, but in both the Giants and Ravens games they kept us in it and came up with big stops when they needed to.

2) Alfred Morris will not fall down on the first contact. You'll need to wrap him up and bring friends. He is rarely tackled by one guy. If he gets into your secondary he will outrun the linebackers and carry your DBs.

3) You'll need to protect the football. We have six defensive touchdowns this year. More than the past six years combined.

4) figure out where Ryan Kerrigan is and put a tight end and fullback on him.

Cousins is getting the start. I wouldn't rush him too often. Worry about Morris and play coverage. Force Cousins to beat you through the air. He hasn't seen much time but on seven completions he has two touchdowns and two Interceptions. He may not be RGIII but he can run if he has to. Watch for short passes and screens.

Beware Pierre. He is dangerous if he catches the ball in space.

“If you grow up in metro Washington, you grow up a diehard Redskins fan. But if you hate your parents, you grow up a Cowboys fan.”-Jim Lachey

I'd say that's inaccurate. They like to use Hardesty for 1.5 - 2 full sets of downs, instead of intermittently throughout the course of a game. That may appear like him losing playing time but it's really the same.